Optical Trapping for Intracellular Nanoelectrode Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophysiological measuring devices face challenges in achieving accurate, reproducible, and reliable intracellular measurements due to issues with electrode penetration, cell membrane stability, and substrate compatibility, leading to inaccurate and unreliable results.
Innovation Solution
An electrophysiological measuring device with a substrate interface and nano-electrodes that allow for controlled penetration of cells using a positioning device, enabling direct contact with the cell membrane and intracellular measurements while minimizing lateral forces and cell movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electrophysiological measuring devices are used for intracellular measurements, then measurement capability is achieved, but measurement accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to electrode penetration issues and cell membrane instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical electrode penetration methods with optical trapping (optical tweezers) to hold and position electrodes. This substitution eliminates mechanical damage to cell membranes during electrode insertion, thereby improving both measurement accuracy and reliability without sacrificing the ability to perform intracellular measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fields as an intermediary mechanism between the electrode positioning system and the cell membrane. The optical trap acts as a mediator that can precisely position electrodes without direct mechanical contact, thus maintaining cell membrane stability while achieving accurate electrode placement for reliable measurements
2Productivity
If multiple electrodes are introduced into cells simultaneously, then productivity increases, but device complexity and difficulty of controlling electrode positions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical trapping fields that can independently position multiple electrodes simultaneously through automated control. The system uses feedback mechanisms where the optical trap automatically adjusts to maintain precise electrode positions, reducing the need for complex manual positioning mechanisms and enabling high-throughput measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback control systems that monitor electrode positions and adjust optical trapping forces in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables simultaneous positioning of multiple electrodes with high precision, increasing productivity while managing device complexity through intelligent control algorithms
3Ease of operation
If conventional electrode penetration methods are used, then intracellular access is achieved, but cell membrane stability deteriorates leading to unwanted cell movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical piercing and penetration methods with optical trapping for electrode positioning. The optical trap can gently hold and maneuver electrodes into intracellular positions without mechanically disrupting the cell membrane, thus maintaining cell membrane stability while achieving intracellular access
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses oscillating or pulsed optical trapping fields to position electrodes. The periodic nature of the optical action allows the cell membrane to relax and adapt between cycles, reducing mechanical stress and maintaining stability while still achieving the necessary intracellular electrode placement
Data Source
Figure 1~2(B)
Figure 2(C)
Figure 3~4(A)
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrophysiological measuring apparatus (100) which is designed for intracellular detection of at least one electrical measured value of a biological cell sample (1) and comprises: a substrate device (10) which is designed for receiving the cell sample (1); an electrode device (20) having at least one nanoelectrode (21) that extends in a longitudinal direction and can be intracellularly introduced into the cell sample (1) that is received by the substrate device (10); and a manipulating device (30) which is designed for moving the at least one nanoelectrode (21) and/or the cell sample (1) relative to one another and in the longitudinal direction of the at least one nanoelectrode (21) such that the at least one nanoelectrode (21) penetrates the cell sample (1). The invention also relates to electrophysiological measurement methods for intracellular detection of at least one electrical measured value of a biological cell sample (1), and substrate devices (10) having structured surfaces.